Passover 2017 has come & gone, and like usual, I'm late at posting about our celebration, but here it goes. Looking back at past Passover posts, I am reminded that with Mom's declining health and her passing this past January, that it has been a while since I have had time to put a lot of thought into Passover, or any Feast Day for that matter -- at least not the attention I'd like.
And although we have had some very nice Passovers the last few years, I see my calendar around Passover 2016 was packed -- between a daughter being sick; me not feeling well and having multiple doctors appointments in preparation for an early May surgery; trips to Mom's; another daughter getting her first job + volunteering at the big MN Horse Expo; plus a multitude of usual farm & ministry related things... to be quite honest, I have Passover marked on my calendar, but sadly, I just didn't feel well enough.
Here are links to my past Passover posts...
Passover 2015
And although we have had some very nice Passovers the last few years, I see my calendar around Passover 2016 was packed -- between a daughter being sick; me not feeling well and having multiple doctors appointments in preparation for an early May surgery; trips to Mom's; another daughter getting her first job + volunteering at the big MN Horse Expo; plus a multitude of usual farm & ministry related things... to be quite honest, I have Passover marked on my calendar, but sadly, I just didn't feel well enough.
Here are links to my past Passover posts...
Passover 2015
Thankfully, we DID celebrate Passover 2017!
Well, as seems to be my modus operandi of late, I just didn't have much time to prepare for Passover 2017 -- amongst holding Mom's estate sale and the rest of my family's work schedules,
but we made it -- an actual nice meal together.
but we made it -- an actual nice meal together.
So here was our little Passover table for 4 this year.
I still enjoy putting out the Plague "décor".
I keep threatening to buy chargers for under the plates, but why is it so hard for me to just do it? It's not like they cost a bundle! Anywho, as you can see, I just used my everyday blue plates and I always love excuses to bring out my blue bubble glasses! This year's added Pier 1 beaded buff/gold napkins and green depression glass candle holders & compote dish are compliments from my Mom's estate. I should have remembered to buy flowers to put in my new thrift store blue bubble vase -- next year!
Passover 2017 Menu (Very Mediterranean)
Pan Seared & Herb Roasted Lamb Chops
Mint Sauce
Greek Salad
Marinated Feta Olives
Herb Roasted Potatoes
Oven Roasted Carrots
Horseradish for the Bitter Herbs (we put a little on the salad)
Matzoh (Unleavened Bread)
Organic Grape Juice (we don't drink alcohol)
Chocolate Toffee Matzoh Crunch
(All my meals are made from scratch because of my allergies to additives & preservatives
+ it's just a healthier way of eating.)
Our meal was very simple & quiet. This year we didn't do the traditional Seder, but instead after dinner, we retired to the family room and each read a portion of Scripture pertaining to Passover.
It was a nice time, but to tell you the truth, I think I would have much more preferred reading Scripture at the table more as part of a celebratory feast... this year left me rather flat... perhaps in part with all I have been going through with Mom's passing and dealing with her estate, I'm just tired and drained. All that aside, my intentions for this year's Passover were to just stick with what was stated in Scripture and leave much of the Jewish tradition, even Messianic tradition, out of it. Not that all of it is wrong, on the contrary; if done right, it gives such richness that points to the Messiah! However, this year, I just felt like experiencing the Feast "Biblically", as YHWH commands, without the fanfare... which really is quite simple, solemn, and introspective. It's a time of removing the leaven from our own hearts and lives and focusing on our Messiah. It really eliminates a great deal of the "excitement" of the Feast -- perhaps a good thing for us this year.
There are a BUNCH of Scripture verses on Passover & Unleavened Bread,
at least 85 Bible Verses about Passover; found both in the old and new testament!
(no, we didn't read ALL the verses)
(no, we didn't read ALL the verses)
It was a nice time, but to tell you the truth, I think I would have much more preferred reading Scripture at the table more as part of a celebratory feast... this year left me rather flat... perhaps in part with all I have been going through with Mom's passing and dealing with her estate, I'm just tired and drained. All that aside, my intentions for this year's Passover were to just stick with what was stated in Scripture and leave much of the Jewish tradition, even Messianic tradition, out of it. Not that all of it is wrong, on the contrary; if done right, it gives such richness that points to the Messiah! However, this year, I just felt like experiencing the Feast "Biblically", as YHWH commands, without the fanfare... which really is quite simple, solemn, and introspective. It's a time of removing the leaven from our own hearts and lives and focusing on our Messiah. It really eliminates a great deal of the "excitement" of the Feast -- perhaps a good thing for us this year.
Maybe next year, YHWH willing, we might have people over or go to some other Seder. It's
too important of a time to go it alone.
Here is the recipe for the Chocolate Toffee Matzoh Crunch that I made. At first I made a half a batch, but soon found myself making more! I'm thinking I could eat this every day of the year!
Chocolate Toffee Matzoh Crunch
This is my own version of David Lebovitz's Recipe
as I can't seem to leave a recipe alone.
4 Sheets of Plain Matzohs (+ break off a tad more to fill pan)
1 Cup of Butter
1 Cup Granular (white) Sugar
3 Tablespoons of Molasses
1 Good Pinch of Sea Salt
1/2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1 Cup Semisweet Chocolate Chips
1/2 Cup of Milk Chocolate Chips
1. Line a rimmed baking sheet or cake pan (approx. 11 x 17) with foil, making sure the foil goes up and over the edges. Cover the foil with a sheet of parchment paper (love using parchment!).
Preheat oven to 375°
Note: It's a super simple recipe, but you will need to work kinda fast, so get all your utensils out and ingredients pre-measured & ready.
2. Line the baking sheet with matzoh, breaking extra pieces if necessary to fill in any spaces.
3. In saucepan, melt butter, sugar, molasses together over medium heat, stirring just until all is melted and mixture begins to boil. Boil for 3 minutes, stirring constantly (don't let it burn). Remove from heat, add salt & vanilla, stir, and pour over matzoh. Working quickly, spread the caramel with a spatula.
4. Put the pan in the oven and reduce heat to 350°. Bake for about 12 minutes. It will bubble, but don't let it burn, reduce oven to 325° or remove from oven if necessary.
5. Remove from oven and immediately cover with chocolate chips. Let stand 5 minutes, then gently spread with spatula.
Let cool (I put mine in fridge). Break into pieces and enjoy. Store in fridge!
If making for Passover, you may omit the vanilla or find a kosher brand.
~~~~
It was really a lovely meal and time.
Well, that's all for now. We have a busy week and I really need to get off the computer.
I have put aside actively marketing my Mom's townhouse for a couple of weeks as I have now hired a painter to come in and primer/paint ceilings & walls + closets. Once that is done, then the carpet will be cleaned and new curtain rods/curtains hung, and then I hope it sells quickly. It's also time to plant the garden -- what happened to our early spring? -- cold & snow delay!
Blessings Friends!
Jane
I have put aside actively marketing my Mom's townhouse for a couple of weeks as I have now hired a painter to come in and primer/paint ceilings & walls + closets. Once that is done, then the carpet will be cleaned and new curtain rods/curtains hung, and then I hope it sells quickly. It's also time to plant the garden -- what happened to our early spring? -- cold & snow delay!
Blessings Friends!
Jane
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